St. Lawrence College Introduces Indigenous Wellness Wheel in Nursing Labs 

St. Lawrence College (SLC) is proud to announce the introduction of an Indigenous Wellness Wheel into its Nursing Labs, a new initiative aimed at fostering holistic healthcare education. This innovative project integrates Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being (IWKB) into the training of healthcare students, encouraging a more inclusive and culturally safe approach to care. SLC unveiled the Wellness Wheel in a nursing lab on the Brockville campus on December 9, 2024. 

The idea for the Wellness Wheel was initiated by Doris McDonald, a Registered Nurse, nursing lab technologist, and part-time professor at SLC. After attending Indigenous Days of Learning workshops at the college, and completing an Indigenous Health Professions Education Course, the concept of holistic healing resonated with Doris and her colleagues, inspiring them to seek ways to integrate these teachings into the labs.  

With support from Indigenous Education Consultants and the nursing faculty across SLC, the project quickly gained traction. The original Wellness Wheel, created by Shirley Chaisson, an Indigenous Student Advisor at SLC, and Kim Dolan, SLC Alumni, will hang in the newly renovated specialty nursing lab on the Brockville campus, with reproductions displayed in 17 other health care lab spaces across the three campuses. 

The Wellness Wheel represents four key components of well-being—spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental—and provides students with a framework to consider these aspects when delivering care. 

“This initiative reflects St. Lawrence College’s commitment to promoting Indigenous perspectives, by embedding Indigenous teachings into our nursing curriculum we are ensuring our students are well-prepared to serve our diverse communities with compassion, empathy and respect. The teaching elements incorporated into the Wellness Wheel will provide several lessons that can be shared with colleagues and clients,” Chaisson said.  

This project aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, particularly #22 and #23, which emphasize the recognition of Indigenous healing practices and the need for cultural competency training in healthcare. The Wellness Wheel is a significant step toward decolonizing healthcare education at SLC and preparing students to meet the diverse needs of the populations they will serve.   

Laralea Stalkie, Dean of Health & Wellness & Community Services said, “Indigenous education equips nurses with knowledge about culture, traditions, and worldviews. Understanding these perspectives helps nurses provide care that is respectful and responsive to our patient’s cultural identities. Culturally informed nursing care addresses inequities by focusing on the needs of our Indigenous patients & creates a safe space for care.  This Wellness Wheel is a positive enhancement to our already strong Indigenous content in our nursing curriculum.” 

In addition to its use as a visual teaching aid, the Wellness Wheel will be incorporated into lesson plans for Personal Support Worker, Practical Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing students. These sessions will enhance students’ understanding of the principles of holistic care, encouraging them to reflect on how the Wellness Wheel’s concepts can be applied in clinical settings.  

“As healthcare providers, it’s essential to recognize the holistic needs of individuals—mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual,” McDonald said. “The Wellness Wheel enhances our students’ learning experience by helping them understand the importance of providing comprehensive, culturally sensitive care.” 

St. Lawrence College is excited to lead the way in advancing Indigenous knowledge within healthcare education. The Wellness Wheel initiative is part of the college’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment for its students.